Smart connect instrument cluster

ABSTRACT

An instrument cluster for a vehicle, includes: a master microcontroller being powered by a power source regulated by a power regulator module; one or more input sources electrically configured to provide one or more inputs to the master microcontroller through a signal conditioning circuit; and one or more output sources configured to receive one or more outputs from the master microcontroller. The master microcontroller is connected to at least two wireless modules. The master microcontroller is configured to provide instruction to a secondary wireless module of a communication device to display an output on the one or more output sources and the communication device. The master microcontroller is configured to receive instruction from the secondary wireless module of the communication device to display the output on the one or more output sources.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter generally relates to a vehicle. Moreparticularly but not exclusively the present subject matter relates toan instrument cluster for said vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Instrument clusters are a series of gauge and indicators that aregrouped together in a shell or case in a unified form. Instrumentclusters are often used with vehicles or other machinery to conveyinformation to a rider or the operator of that machinery. For example,instrument clusters are often used to display vehicle speed, enginetemperature, fuel level, engine oil level, etc.

Traditional instrument cluster which are of analog type often includemultiple pointer needles, which are movable in circular direction topoint at different portions of a meter or the gauge in order to conveyinformation to the rider or to the operator of the machine havinginstrument cluster. The pointer needles are often illuminated or thebackground light of the instrument cluster gets illuminated when thehead lights are activated, in order to enhance the visibility at lowluminescence time of the day.

Instrument clusters are mainly housed in between the steering handle ofthe vehicle or upstream of the steering wheel so that it is convenientfor the vehicle rider to see the data reflected on the instrumentcluster from time to time.

Modern day automobiles have digital instrument cluster display whichapart from the basic details as mentioned above, also shows variety ofinformation and are added with more complex feature gauges andtell-tales such as turn indicators, gearshift position, low oilpressure, low tire pressure, light controls, automotive navigationssystem etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the exemplary two-wheeled vehicle, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the instrument cluster.

FIG. 3 illustrates architecture of the instrument cluster.

FIG. 4 illustrates master-slave process when the master microcontrolleris the master.

FIG. 5 illustrates master-slave process when the communication device isthe master.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Automobile manufacturers have experimented with various kinds ofdisplays in the instrument cluster which not only has the functionalaspect of displaying the information to the rider but also have featureswhich appeals the customer's eyes and gives great viewing experience.With inclusion of new technology, it has also become important tointegrate one technology with another.

As the technologies are evolving with time, state of the art vehiclesincludes various other drive features in order to provide severalinformation in one display and the information to be displayed can bechosen by the user by allowing addition or removal of the type ofinformation to be displayed on the digital screen. The instrumentcluster should be able to give information beyond the conventionalvehicle parameters that are displayed. Latest technologies have gonebeyond providing features which are essential to operate the vehicleproperly. Several technologies are added to attract the customer andintegrating all the added technologies to provide quality product. Otherthan getting plethora of options that can be viewed on the instrumentcluster, people these days are more connected than ever before. So,integrating the present instrument cluster with the communication systemcan be more useful to the rider. Riders tend to take phone call duringriding a vehicle which can be fatal and cause accidents. So, to avoidsuch situations and distractions, the vehicle needs to be equipped withfeatures which can itself work as a holistic device for both commutingas well as communication. Also, in order to find a new destination, therider generally uses the smart phone for identifying current location orstops at several points to ask any person for the routes which causesgreat inconveniences to the rider. Often the instrument cluster known inthe art is configured with a primary controller/ECU which controls allmajor functions of the vehicle & its parameters e.g. powertrain control,traction control, illumination control, battery control etc. However, tocontrol the instrument cluster, a dedicated microcontroller/ECU systemis implemented which communicates independently with either the primaryECU or with any other external system like a phone device or the like.Such configuration leads to increased cost & also complex set-up interms of the control method. An additional challenge is the pairing ofan external device like a mobile phone or the like with the vehiclewhich is complicated. There is a need to be able to detect & effectivelyconfirm the external device e.g. mobile phone with the instrumentcluster & once the detection is completed, to be able to allow theexternal device to take charge of the system & perform predetermined oruser given commands & execute the same on the instrument cluster. Thereis a potential risk of unauthorized access to the vehicle in thesolutions known in the art which permit the external device to takecontrol of the controller of the vehicle & the vehicle itself as awhole. Alternatively, one may have to compromise in permitted one-waycontrol by the cluster rendering the external device with nofunctionality to perform a controlling function by executing systemcommands on the vehicle & its controller system.

Hence, the present subject matter provides an instrument cluster whichenables the rider to integrate a communication device in order toreceive various notifications and alerts on the display screen of theinstrument cluster.

Another embodiment of the present subject matter provides an instrumentcluster which can be connected to the communication device using awireless mode like Bluetooth® or the like.

Another embodiment of the present subject matter provides a customizedapplication which stores the last parked location of the vehicle or thelast location of the vehicle just before the ignition of the vehicle isswitched OFF allowing the user to find the vehicle in a parking lot orin a crowded place for ease in locating the vehicle.

FIG. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary motor vehicle (100),in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Thevehicle (100) illustrated, has a frame member (105). In the presentembodiment, the frame member (105) is step-through type including a headtube (105A), and a main frame (105B) that extend rearwardly downwardfrom an anterior portion of the head tube (105A). The main frame (105B)extends inclinedly rearward to a rear portion of the vehicle (100).

The vehicle (100) includes one or more prime movers that are connectedto the frame member (105). In the present implementation, one of theprime movers is an internal combustion (IC) engine (115) mounted to theframe member (105). In the depicted embodiment, the IC engine (115) ismounted to a structural member (135) that is pivoted to the frame member(105). In one embodiment, the structural member (135) is a rigid membermade including metal.

The vehicle (100) also includes another prime mover, which is anelectric motor (120). In a preferred embodiment, the electric motor(120) is hub mounted to one wheel of the vehicle (100). In anotherembodiment, more than one electric motor is mounted to wheels of thevehicle. In the depicted embodiment, the vehicle (100) includes at leasttwo-wheels and the electric motor (120) is hub mounted to the rear wheel(125) of the vehicle. A front wheel (110) is rotatably supported by theframe member (105) and is connected to a handle bar assembly (130) thatenables maneuvering of the vehicle (100).

Further, the vehicle (100) includes a high capacity on-board battery(not shown) that drives the electric motor (120). The high capacitybattery may include one or more high capacity battery packs or one ormore low capacity cells. The high capacity battery can be disposed at afront portion, a rear portion, or at the center of the vehicle (100).The high capacity battery is supported by the frame member (105) and thevehicle (100) includes plurality of body panels, mounted to the framemember (105) for covering various components of the vehicle (100). Theplurality of panels includes a front panel (140A), a leg shield (140B),an under-seat cover (140C), and a left and a right-side panel (140D). Aglove box may be mounted to a leg shield (140B).

A floorboard (145) is provided at the step-through portion defined bythe main tube (105B). A seat assembly (150) is disposed rearward to thestep-through portion and is mounted to the main frame (105B). The seatassembly (150) that is elongated in a longitudinal direction F-R of thevehicle (100) enables the user to operate the vehicle in a saddleride-type posture. One or more suspension(s) connect the wheels (110),(125) to the vehicle (100) and provide a comfortable ride. The vehicle(100) comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic componentsincluding a headlight (155A), a taillight (155B), a starter motor (notshown), a horn etc. Also, the vehicle (100) includes a master controlunit (not shown) that takes control of the overall operation of thevehicle (100) including the function of the IC engine (115), theelectric motor (120), charging of the batteries from amagneto/integrated starter generator (ISG), driving of loads by themagneto/ISG, charging of the high capacity batteries by the electricmotor operating in generator mode, and any other operations associatedwith the operation of the vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) shown in FIG.1 is an exemplary vehicle and the present subject matter can be used ina two-wheeled vehicle, three-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle.

In FIG. 2, the connected instrument cluster (200) comprises a liquidcrystal display (LCD) screen (201) for displaying plurality of vehicleparameters like the vehicle status, mobile (communication device) statusand navigation instructions etc. Tell-tale indicators such asturn-signal indications (202 and 203), high beam indication (204),driving mode indication (205) and low fuel warning indication (206) areprovided on either sides of the display screen (201). Mode and Setbutton switches (207) and (208) respectively are provided at the bottomedges to allow a rider to change the display mode and set parameterssuch as clock time and reset parameters such as trip distance. Thedisplay screen (201) and tell-tale indicators are protected fromexternal environment by means of a transparent lens (not shown). Thedisplay screen (201) is of segmented type and has alphanumeric displaysegments and graphic icon segments for displaying vehicle status, mobilecommunication device (433) status and navigation instructions. At thecentre of the display screen (201) is a vehicle speed indication (209)in large font so that it is clearly visible to the rider even in badweather conditions and bright daylight conditions. The vehicle speedindication (209) unit can be set as “kmph” (kilo meter per hour) and“mph” (meter per hour) using the mode button (207) and set button (208).

In the bottom left of the display screen (201), engine oil temperatureindication (210) is provided in bar type display. An engine oiltemperature icon (211) is also provided to help the user to identify thetype of indication. The engine oil temperature indication (210) isuseful for the rider and service technician to understand the engine oiltemperature. Cold or hot engine conditions can be easily understood andengine oil temperature sensor malfunction can also be understood. Therider may want to perform kick starting if the engine oil temperature iscold. The service technician can also use the engine oil temperatureindication to diagnose engine problems such as knocking, jerk, abnormalnoise, etc. The engine oil temperature icon (211) blinks if engine oiltemperature sensor malfunction is detected.

A “wear helmet” indication (212) is provided on the left-top side of theengine oil temperature indication (210). The “wear helmet” indication(212) blinks during the self-check process and when the instrumentcluster starts operating to remind the rider to wear a helmet beforestarting a ride. A low battery' indication (213) to indicate that thebattery is low, “service reminder” indication (214) and “immobilizer ON”indication (215) are provided above the “wear helmet” indication (212).The “low battery” indication (213) blinks if low battery State of Charge(SOC) is detected. The “service reminder” indication (214) blinks ifservice due is detected. “Immobilizer ON” indication (215) blinks ifengine operation is disabled to enhance vehicle security. A “side standON” indication (216) blinks if a vehicle side stand is in a deployedcondition. This alerts the rider to retract the side stand beforecommencing the ride. A “low engine oil level” indication (217) blinks ifengine oil level detected is low. A “Bluetooth paired” indication (218)indicates that a Bluetooth communication between the instrument cluster(200) and a user mobile communication device such as a mobile phone ortablet PC is in a paired state.

A “lap trip distance” indication (219) is provided for the user tomeasure a specific trip distance in kilometres or miles as selectedusing the mode button (207) and set button (208). Two different trips'(“Trip A” and “Trip B”) distances can be measured separately asdistinguished using indications (220) and (221). A “trip F” indication(222) automatically measures the distance covered by the vehicle whilethe fuel level is below a reserve condition. This helps the rider toeasily gauge the distance he/she can continue riding before refueling afuel tank of the vehicle. A “distance to empty” indication can estimatea distance that can be covered with the fuel quantity available in thefuel tank. But the estimate might not be accurate due to varying ridingconditions, varying road conditions, riding pattern and environmentalconditions. The “trip F” indication (222) provides distance covered withfuel level below a reserve condition which the rider can use to estimatethe distance he/she can ride before refueling the fuel tank. The ridercan thus plan refueling more effectively.

An odometer or lap timer indication (223) is provided in differentinstrument cluster operating modes to indicate the cumulative distancecovered by the vehicle and/or measure the time elapsed to traverse alap. The lap timer will automatically start if the vehicle speedincreases beyond a predetermined threshold (e.g., 2 kmph) and it shallautomatically stop if the vehicle speed decreases below a predeterminedthreshold (e.g., 2 kmph). The odometer and lap timer indications (223)are multiplexed such that different operating modes selected using modebutton (207) and set button (208) switches will display either theodometer or lap timer in the same position.

Clock or average speed (224) during the lap (224) are multiplexed indifferent operating modes to indicate the geographical time or averagelap speed in different operating modes based on mode button (207) andset button (208) selection by the rider. Time taken to accelerate fromzero to a predetermined vehicle speed (e.g., 60 kmph) is also indicated(225). This acceleration time indication (225) is multiplexed with“distance to empty” indication in a different operating mode. Fuel levelindication (226) with fuel level indication icon (227) is a bar typeindication which along with the engine oil temperature indication (210)provides an aesthetic staircase type display.

Mobile communication device (433) status information and navigationinstructions are provided in the display space between the engine oiltemperature indication (210) and fuel level indication (226). Mobilecommunication device (433) battery SOC indication (228), signal strengthindication (229), SMS notification indication (230) and phone callnotification indication (231) are provided to allow the rider toconcentrate on vehicle (100) riding without having to use the mobilecommunication device (433). The phone caller identification is alsoprovided in alphanumeric display (232) so that the rider can decide topark the vehicle (100) and attend the call if he/she thinks that it isfrom an important or emergency caller.

Navigation instructions are multiplexed along with the calleridentification and upon sensing an incoming call while navigationinstructions are displayed, the caller identification will be displayedfor a predetermined duration before switching back to the navigationinstructions display. A navigation mode icon (234) is provided toindicate that navigation instructions are being communicated from themobile communication device (433) to the instrument cluster (200). Thealphanumeric display (232) is also used to indicate alert messages andoperating mode details. When the vehicle (100) speed exceeds apredetermined threshold, “high speed alert” will be blinking in thealphanumeric display (232) which reminds the rider to slow down. Alertmessages such as “low fuel level” and “low battery level” will also bedisplayed in the alphanumeric display (232). Operating mode details suchas “Street Mode”, “Sport Mode”, etc., will also be displayed in thealphanumeric display (232). Courtesy messages such as “Good Morning(name of the rider)”, “Welcome (name of the rider)” will also bedisplayed in the alphanumeric display (232).

FIG. 3 illustrates architecture of the present subject matter and theinterface among instrument cluster (200), communication device (312) andonline map database. The instrument cluster architecture (300)interfaces with the communication device (312) and the communicationdevice (312) interacts with the map provider server (314). The mapprovider server (314) is a database which provides updated navigationroutes on a map.

The instrument cluster architecture (300) comprises of a mastermicrocontroller (303) which governs the function of the instrumentcluster (200). The master microcontroller (303) also decides on thealerts and notification to be displayed on the alphanumeric display(232) segment of the display screen (201) of the instrument cluster(200). The master microcontroller (303) is connected to a primarywireless module (304) though bidirectional data bus in order to transferand receive data via primary wireless module (304) to/from memory of anexternal device (communication device (312)). The master microcontroller(303) controls the function of the instrument cluster (200) and theprimary wireless module (304) eliminates extra requirement of thecontroller (hardware) dedicated for the primary wireless module (304).As per an embodiment, the primary wireless module (304) is a Bluetooth®module in instrument cluster (200) and the secondary wireless is aBluetooth® module embedded in communication device (312).

Further the master microcontroller (303) receives filtered signals froma signal conditioning circuit (305). The signal conditioning circuit(305) comprises of several sub signal conditioners which receivessignals (mostly analog) from the control switches and the sensorsinstalled at various locations in the vehicle (100) which further, afterprocessing, gets displayed in digital format on the display screen (201)of the instrument cluster (200).

The signal conditioning circuit (305) comprises mainly two stagesnamely—filtering and amplification. In the first stage, which isfiltering; filters eliminate the undesirable signal (noise) from thesignal received from one or more sensors installed on the vehicle (100)or the control switches to receive the input from the user of thevehicle (100). For eliminating such undesirable noise different types offilters are used depending on the factor like frequency.

After the undesirable signals are filtered out from the incoming signalsfrom one or more input, the filtered signals are amplified to increasethe resolution as well as to increase the signal-to-noise ratio as thesignal received from the sensor are of very low voltage which is notsufficiently strong enough for further processing i.e., converting thereceived analog signal from various input into digital signal in orderto display the vehicle (100) parameters on the instrument cluster (200)for the user.

The signal conditioning circuit (305) receives signals from differentinputs sources (311) like control switches, speed sensor, engine oilsensor, TCI power signal etc. The received signals from one or moreinputs sources (311) goes to the signal conditioning circuit (305) whereeach of the input sources (311) signals after conditioning getstransferred to the master microcontroller (303).

A power source (301) such as a battery provides current to theinstrument cluster (200). The power source (301) is connected to a powerregulator module (302) to step down the incoming high voltage from thepower source (301) and outputs low voltage (˜5V) to the mastermicrocontroller (303). Similarly, power source (301) provides power toother low load circuits like control switches, sensors etc.

An interface is created between the instrument cluster architecture(300) and the communication device (312) by pairing the primary wirelessmodule (304) provided in the instrument cluster (200) with the secondarywireless (318) module provided in the communication device (312).

The communication device (312) is provided with interactive display(320) for displaying the output as well as for enabling interaction ofthe user with the communication device (312). The interactive display(320) of the communication device (312) works as both as an input sourceand also as an output source. The output can be an alert, a notificationor any data.

The communication device (312) is provided with other input sources likea camera (316) and at least one output sources like a speaker (315). Thecommunication device (316) is also provided with an internal memory(313) which stores all type of data including text, video, images, soundetc. A provision is given for one or more SIM or subscriber identitymodule (321) in the communication device (312).

The communication device (312) is configured with a dedicated customizedapplication (or APP) (322). The customized application (322) interactswith the instrument cluster (200) through Bluetooth® wirelesscommunication. The customized application (322) sends and receives theinformation from the instrument cluster (200) which can be stored in theinternal memory (313) of the communication device (312) and also can beshared with other people.

The instrument cluster (200) and the communication device (312) isconfigured to be based on master-slave relationship where master isdevice which sends the instruction signal or request signal and theslave accepts the instructions signal and the request signal from themaster. Master is responsible for decision making process whereas theslave is responsible to take the instruction from the master. When themaster microcontroller (303) sends instructions to the communicationdevice (312) then the master microcontroller (303) of the instrumentcluster (200) is configured to function as a master system and thecommunication device (312) functions as a slave system. But when thecommunication device (312), after getting paired with the instrumentcluster (200), sends instructions to the master microcontroller (303) ofthe instrument cluster (200) from secondary wireless module (318) to theprimary wireless module (304) then the communication device (312) isconfigured to function as a master system and the master microcontroller(303) of the instrument cluster (200) functions as a slave system.

When the vehicle (100) is switched ON, a self-check process of theinstrument cluster (200) is initiated and the master microcontroller(303) of the instrument cluster (200) enables the primary wirelessmodule (304) when the mode button (207) is used to set Bluetooth® modeON. The user selects the device name of the instrument cluster (200) inthe customized application (322) stored in the communication device(312) for the purpose of pairing the secondary wireless module (318)with the primary wireless module (304) of the instrument cluster (200).After selecting the device name of the instrument cluster (200) in thecustomized application (322), the system is configured to have a uniquekey is entered in the customized application (322) stored in thecommunication device (312) though interactive display (320) in order todetect/identify, authenticate & then connect with the instrument cluster(200). The unique key is provided by the manufacturer and every vehicle(100) may have one or more unique keys where each unique key connectsonly one communication device (312) with the instrument cluster (200).To connect the pair of the instrument cluster (200) with thecommunication device (312), the mode button (207) is used to set theinstrument cluster (200) in Bluetooth® mode which prevents anyunauthorized user to access the instrument cluster (200) by using theunique key.

When the pairing process is initiated by the master microcontroller(303) embedded inside the instrument cluster (200), the mastermicrocontroller (303) enables the primary wireless module (304). Theuser enables the secondary wireless module (318). The secondary wirelessmodule (318) is configured to scan for any available Bluetooth® enableddevice in the vicinity. After scanning, the user, selects the primarywireless module (304) of the instrument cluster (200) from the listshowing the names of the enabled Bluetooth® devices in the vicinity ofthe secondary Bluetooth® module (318) embedded in the communicationdevice (312). A unique key is given by the user to in order to connectthe primary wireless module (304) with the secondary wireless module(318).

When the master microcontroller (303) sends out the outputs like data,parameters, alerts or notifications in order to display the output onone or more output sources, during that time the master microcontroller(303) functions as a master system. Also, the master microcontroller(303) does the decision process for selecting and prioritizing thenotification and alerts which are to be displayed on the instrumentcluster (200). The primary wireless module (318) as well as thecommunication device (312) works as a slave system by accepting therequests from the master microcontroller (303) and storing the data inthe internal memory (313) of the communication device (312).

Whereas the master-slave role is configured to reverse roles when thecommunication device (312) instructs the master microcontroller (303)and the instrument cluster (200) to display the contents of thecommunication device (312). The customized application (322) enables thecommunication device (312) to function as a master and the instrumentcluster (200) as a slave. Alerts like incoming call; incoming SMS (shortmessage service), number of missed calls, navigation assistinstructions, over speeding alert etc. are sent from the communicationdevice (312) to the instrument cluster (200). The master microcontroller(303) works as a slave as it takes the instructions from thecommunication device (312).

Further, the communication device (312) connects with map providingsever (314) where the communication device (312) requests for adestination or a location and the map providing server (314) generatesthe result on the basis of present location of the vehicle (100). Themap details along with the directions, time, distance gets displayed onthe communication device (312). The communication device (312) sends thedirection and distance details to the instrument cluster (200) viasecondary wireless module (318) to the primary wireless module (304) andthe master microcontroller (303) accepts the data and stores thenavigation details in the internal memory (not shown) of the instrumentcluster (200). The communication device (312) keeps on streaming thenavigation data to the master microcontroller (303) of the instrumentcluster (200). The master microcontroller (303) is configured to work asa slave and accepts the data transferred from the communication device(312) which is acting as a master.

The rider can search for a location by entering the name of the place inthe search box given in the customized application (322). The customizedapplication (322) displays the current location of the user and thedestination location.

Once the user (or the rider) starts the navigation and starts drivingthe vehicle (100), the instrument cluster (200) shows turn by turnnavigation instruction. The navigation instructions are shown inalphanumeric format in the alphanumeric display (232). There aremultiple alphanumeric displays (232) and one of the alphanumeric display(232) displays distance remaining in numeric format and otheralphanumeric display (232) displays the direction in the alphabetformat. To display the navigation related notifications, the instrumentcluster (200) requires only a limited part of the screen so that otherparameters, indication or notifications can be displayed on theinstrument cluster (200). Likewise, the alphanumeric display (232)displays several types of instructions depending on the situation and toguide the rider of the vehicle (100). Notifications like turn left, turnright, sharp turns, destination reached, highway, junction, fork etc.,in order to assist the rider in navigation.

FIG. 4 shows the flow chart of the method of communicating when themaster microcontroller (303) functions as a master system and the restof the devices including the communication device working as slavesystem. In step 401, the vehicle (100) is started by switching ON theignition key or by powering from other power source like a battery. Thenafter the self-check process of the instrument cluster (200) gets over,in step 402, the primary wireless module (304) pairs with the secondarywireless module (318) by setting the instrument cluster (200) in awireless mode e.g. a Bluetooth® mode. After the connection isestablished between the instrument cluster (200) and the communicationdevice (312) then in step 403, the signal conditioning circuit (305) ofthe instrument cluster (200) receives input from one or more inputsources (311) like signal from control switches, speed sensor input, TCIpower signal, engine fuel level, engine temperature and also input fromthe interactive display (320), used as both input source as well asoutput source, of the communication device (312). And alerts andnotification for missed call, SMS alert (230), navigation data, andbattery status (228) of the communication device (312), signal strengthof the SIM embedded inside the communication device (312) aretransmitted to the master microcontroller through secondary wirelessmodule and primary wireless module. In step 404, one or more inputsignals are sent to signal conditioning circuit (305). In the next step,step 405, the signals received from the signal conditioning circuit(305) are filtered to remove the noise and undesirable signals and thenthe required signal is amplified and the signal-to-noise ratio isincreased and then the filtered signals are sent to the mastermicrocontroller (303). In step, 406 the microcontroller selects theoutput and sends the output to one or more output sources. Further instep 407 the output signals get displayed on the corresponding outputsources like a plurality of tell-tales (308), a segment display (309),an alphanumeric display (232), backlight (306) of the instrument cluster(200), interactive display (320) of the communication device (312),speaker (315). In step 408, some of the outputs are also sent to thecommunication device (312) by the master microcontroller (303) to getdisplayed on the interactive display (320) and also to store that datain the communication device (312) and to share the output data oninternet or local network.

FIG. 5 displays the flow chart method when the master microcontroller(303) is configured to function as slave system whereas thecommunication device (312) functions as a master system. In step 501,the vehicle (100) is started by switching the ignition ON or by poweringthrough power source like battery. The instrument cluster (200) doesself-check and then in step 502, the primary wireless module pairs (304)with the secondary wireless module (318) by first setting the wirelesscommunication mode e.g. a Bluetooth® mode ON. In step 503, thecommunication device is connected with a map providing server (314) forproviding navigation instructions to the communication device (312)based on current location identified by GPS (Global Positioning System)in the communication device (312). The destination address ordestination location is entered using the interactive display (320) ofthe communication device (312). The navigation information is receivedfrom the map providing server (314). The navigation information is thensent to the master microcontroller (303) which accepts the informationin step 504. In step 505, the navigation information gets displayed onone of the output source like alphanumeric display (232), tell-tale(308), and display screen (201) of the instrument cluster (200).

The customized application (322) is capable of providing detailednavigation information like the different types of turns after specifieddistance, direction in which vehicle (100) needs to take exit routesetc.

In certain cases, the vehicle (100) may be parked in a new location or acrowded location. So, just before the vehicle (100) ignition is turnedOFF, the customized application (322) stored in the communication device(312) paired to the instrument cluster (200) via Bluetooth® modules,saves and stores the location of parking or the location of the vehicle(100). This location of the vehicle (100) helps the user locate his/hervehicle in the crowded place or a new parking area or if the userforgets the location.

In such a scenario, the customized application (322) displays thedirection to reach the place where the last location of the vehicle(100) was saved in the communication device (312).

Arrows provided in the top right corner of each figure depicts directionwith respect to the two-wheeled vehicle (100), wherein an arrow Fdenotes front direction, an arrow R indicated Rear direction, T denotestop and D denotes down direction as and where applicable. Improvementsand modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from thescope of the invention

Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter arepossible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scopeof claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may bepracticed other than as specifically described.

1.-12. (canceled)
 13. An instrument cluster for a vehicle, comprising: amaster microcontroller being powered by a power source regulated by apower regulator module; one or more input sources electricallyconfigured to provide one or more inputs to the master microcontrollerthrough a signal conditioning circuit; and one or more output sourcesconfigured to receive one or more outputs from the mastermicrocontroller, wherein the master microcontroller is connected to atleast two wireless modules, the master microcontroller is configured toprovide instruction to a secondary wireless module of a communicationdevice to display an output on the one or more output sources and thecommunication device, and the master microcontroller is configured toreceive instruction from the secondary wireless module of thecommunication device to display the output on the one or more outputsources.
 14. The instrument cluster according to claim 1, wherein the atleast two wireless modules are a primary wireless module and thesecondary wireless module.
 15. The instrument cluster according to claim1, wherein the master microcontroller configures a primary wirelessmodule with the secondary wireless module.
 16. The instrument clusteraccording to claim 1, wherein a primary wireless module is connected tothe master microcontroller through a bidirectional data bus.
 17. Theinstrument cluster according to claim 1, wherein a primary wirelessmodule establishes connection with the communication device through thesecondary wireless module.
 18. The instrument cluster according to claim1, wherein the secondary wireless module is provided in thecommunication device.
 19. The instrument cluster according to claim 1,wherein the one or more input sources are control switches, a speedsensor, a TCI sensor, a fuel sensor, mode button, an odometer or aninteractive display.
 20. The instrument cluster according to claim 1,wherein the one or more output sources are a plurality of tell-tales, anLCD segment, an alpha numeric display or an interactive display.
 21. Amethod for interacting an instrumental cluster with a communicationdevice, the method comprising: switching an ignition key ON; pairing aprimary wireless module with a secondary wireless module; receivinginput from one or more input sources; sending input from the one or moreinput sources to a signal conditioning circuit; sending one or moresignals from the signal conditioning circuit to a mastermicrocontroller; selecting one or more outputs by the mastermicrocontroller; displaying the one or more outputs on one or moreoutput sources; and sending the outputs to the communication device. 22.A method for interacting an instrument cluster with a map providingserver, the method comprising: switching an ignition key ON; pairing aprimary wireless module with a secondary wireless module; receivingnavigation information from the map providing server to a customizedapplication; sending navigation information to a master microcontroller;sending one or more outputs from a communication device to the mastermicrocontroller; and displaying the one or more outputs on one or moreoutput sources.
 23. The method for interacting of an instrumentalcluster with a map providing server according to claim 10, wherein thecustomized application is stored in the communication device.
 24. Amethod for authenticating an instrument cluster of a vehicle, the methodcomprising: initiating pairing by a master microcontroller embeddedinside the instrument cluster with at least one communication device;enabling a primary wireless module by the master microcontroller;enabling a secondary wireless module at least by a user of the vehicle;scanning by the secondary wireless module for available Bluetooth®enabled devices in vicinity of the secondary wireless module; andassigning at least one unique key for connecting the primary wirelessmodule with the secondary wireless module, wherein the mastermicrocontroller is configured to interchangeably function as a mastersystem, when sending output to one or more output sources including thecommunication device, and the master microcontroller is configured tointerchangeably function as a slave system, when the communicationdevice instructs the master microcontroller and the instrument clusterto display content of the communication device.